NY Giants @ Denver Thursday Night Football Preview

November 26th, 2009 8:16 am
by Pro Set

Denver is finally doing justice to my pessimism about Broncos football. As noted in last week’s Chargers at Broncos preview, Denver cannot run the ball. Early in the season Denver beat Dallas and New England at Mile High on big play catches from WR Brandon Marshall. The only thing he can hold onto now is RB Knowshon Moreno’s jersey as they fight over fumbles. The bizarre faux start of QB Kyle Orton last week intrigued me. The first thought that I had as Dan Fouts announced that Orton was ‘seriously’ warming up was: McDaniels did not want to register a loss with Orton as his starting QB. At season’s end McDaniels can say ‘we lost games when Orton was not starting due to injury.’ There’s no other explanation. By the way, Dick Enberg needs to retire right now. He obviously cannot see the field properly.

Thanksgiving note: Denver should be thankful that QB Jay Cutler is destroying the Bears, otherwise McDaniels would be under huge pressure right now.

New York played well last Sunday against a good Atlanta offense. The Giants have been hearing it over allowing the game into overtime, but the Falcons played very well in the final quarter. I’d be a much richer man had the Falcons won that toss in OT, as I had the Falcons on the money line. QB Eli Manning threw the ball superbly after the first quarter. But to win at Denver on short rest the Giants will need to run the ball and to throw play action passes. I would like to see some I-Form big (two TEs and two backs). Since Orton has to be expected to play, the Giants need to avoid the temptation to blitz. Orton will be very immobile. This means that seven man coverages (probably Cover 2 zone or Cover 2 man under) will force Orton to execute perfect throws off a bad plant foot. Blitzing allows more margin for error. QB mobility is actually more important against traditional coverage defense, since the QB needs to buy time for receivers to become open. If the Giants do not give up the big play, and keep it clean, the Giants should win.

Thanksgiving note: The last time the Giants visited Denver the world was very different. It was on Monday Night Football (10 September 2001) and the play of the game was an 85 yard punt by NYG P Rodney Williams. It was the first game at Invesco Field. I don’t know what’s planned for pregame tomorrow, but it would be nice to see the victims of 9/11 honoured by the NFL on a nationally televised game.

Posted in Analysis, Brian Dawkins, Denver Broncos, Eli Manning, Game, Jay Cutler, Josh McDaniels, Kyle Orton, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Thanksgiving Day Football, NFL on television, NY Giants, Tom Coughlin | No Comments »

Week 2 Featured Preview

September 17th, 2007 1:49 am
by Pro Set

Washington @ Philadelphia 8:30 ET on ESPN

When Washington has the ball, the loss of T Jon Jansen to a season-ending broken ankle will be keenly felt. Although some feel that Jansen is overrated, he is a real presence in run-blocking and has great experience in facing the Philadelphia blitzes: an attribute not shared by WSH QB Jason Campbell.

I expect that both RB Clinton Portis and RB Ladell Betts will need to have huge performances for the Redskins to win. Portis must control the game by attacking the Eagles on early downs. If I were Joe Gibbs I would look to quicker, slashing running plays rather than slower traps or counters. With the amount of movement and variation in the pre-snap looks of the PHI defense, it is better to run straight at them and make them react and tackle, hopefully from out of position, rather than letting them come at you.

The WSH passing game cannot be expected to carry this offense. As talented and fast as WR Antwaan Randle El and WR Santana Moss are, Jason Campbell must be careful of the range of FS Brian Dawkins, as well as the Eagles pass rush. Do not be surprised if the Redskins attemtpt a trick play or two in the passing game.

For PHI, patience is the key. Assuming that the special teams disasters of Week 1 are eliminated, the WSH offense will simply not be good enough to win the game without turnover help. I thought that QB Donovan McNabb played quite well last week, despite the poor completion percentage. He made the right reads, did not force passes, and led the Eagles to a run of three solid scoring drives.

Philadelphia should concentrate on a conservative game plan against the WSH defense. I would pound the rock with RB Brian Westbrook and RB Correll Buckhalter. The WSH defense is prove to concentration lapses and will get impatient unless it can create the big sack or turnover. Last week I felt that PHI underused the backs in the passing game. If PHI rectifies this, and McNabb throws for even 55% with no picks, PHI will score enough points to win at home.

Overall, PHI looks too good on both sides of the ball. They cost themselves a road win against a good Packers team last week and so this divisional home game is a must-win. Although I still have doubts over PHI coach Andy Reid under pressure and in tricky clock situations, I am convinced that his players should be good enough to get the job done.

Prediction: PHI

Line: PHI

Posted in Andy Reid, Antwaan Randle El, Brian Dawkins, Brian Westbrook, Clinton Portis, Correll Buckhalter, ESPN, Jason Campbell, Joe Gibbs, Jon Jansen, Ladell Betts, Monday Night Football, NFL, NFL Coaches, NFL Game Previews, NFL on television, Santana Moss | No Comments »